Maratha administration
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
Maratha administration means the way the Marathas ran their state. Shivaji built a fairly centralised system, meaning power stayed with the king. He ended hereditary posts and grants of land to officials. Officials got a salary from the treasury and were moved from place to place regularly. A council of eight ministers, the Ashta pradhana mandala, helped the king. Under the later Peshwas, power spread out to strong regional chiefs.
Example
In his teak-tree letter, Shivaji let officials cut teak for the navy only with forest permission. They were not to touch mango and jackfruit trees, which people raise "like their children". He also gave pensions to the widows of soldiers killed in battle. Courts were also part of the system: a local panchayat settled disputes, and people could appeal to a Maratha chief.
Don't confuse with
- Mughal mansabdari system: Mughal officers were often paid with land assignments (jagirs). Shivaji paid his officials in cash salaries.
Related concepts
- Ashtapradhan
- Peshwa
- Amatya
- Sachiv
- Sumant
- Nyayadhish
- Panditrao
- Deshmukh
- Chauth and sardeshmukhi
- Saranjam